Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Q&A: Admitted Students
This comment stream will be dedicated to admitted student questions. Have questions about Explore Carolina or other admitted student events? Questions about housing, orientation, laptops? Just want to say hey to other admitted students? Go crazy. I hope you'll also visit our Tar Heel Blog, where 12 current students post about their experiences here. They love getting comments and are happy to answer any questions you have. Get to know some of your fellow Tar Heels!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Q&A: Waitlist
Each year we ask a group of applicants to accept a position on our waitlist in the case that we have additional places in the class. If you've been offered a position on the waitlist, then congratulations. I know it's not the answer that you were hoping for, but it is evidence of our high regard for your abilities and potential. You are a student that we would love to have here, and we believe you would make many positive contributions to our community. Unfortunately, each year it seems there are more qualified students than we have room for in the first-year class.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the waitlist, but if you have additional questions, please use the comment stream and we'll respond asap!
How do I accept a position on the waitlist?
All you need to do is click the link that has appeared on your homepage (no later than May 7). There's nothing else you need to do. If you still haven't heard from us by the end of your school year, you can submit your final transcript. You also should begin making plans to enroll at another college. If we are able to offer admission to students off the waitlist, we will not do so before mid-May. You need to have other options available to you.
How do you make decisions about admission from the waitlist?
Usually about half of the students we offer a spot on the waitlist accept a position. After the May 1 enrollment deadline, we decide how many (if any) places we have left in the class. At that point we review all the waitlist applicants as a group. We may make several waves of offers through May and June to fill out the class. All students will know their final decision by June 30.
Statistics, please!
In the previous post we got a lot of requests for statistics. As Erin posted in a previous comment, we admitted about 200 of our first-deadline deferred students; about 1680 were waitlisted. Overall, we offered waitlist positions to about 1,200 North Carolina students and about 1,280 out-of-state students. We received just over 23,000 applications in all, which was an increase of almost 8% over last year.
Last year, we waitlisted 2,328 students. 1,420 accepted a place on the waitlist, and 453 were admitted. In 2007, we waitlisted 2,063 students. 1,240 accepted a place on the waitlist, and 226 were admitted. It really does vary quite a bit from year to year, which means you should take these statistics with a grain of salt. And like most colleges around the country, we're still waiting to see how much of an effect the economy has on students' decisions.
What is the new transfer-guarantee program?
This year, we will be offering a pilot program that will guarantee sophomore transfer admission to a small group of students who accept a position on the waitlist, but who we are not able to admit into the first-year class. The Daily Tar Heel recently reported on the program. Students who are chosen for the program will be notified this summer. The program was only recently approved by the faculty, so I'll be sure to share more details about the program as we have them.
Other questions?
Here are some frequently asked questions about the waitlist, but if you have additional questions, please use the comment stream and we'll respond asap!
How do I accept a position on the waitlist?
All you need to do is click the link that has appeared on your homepage (no later than May 7). There's nothing else you need to do. If you still haven't heard from us by the end of your school year, you can submit your final transcript. You also should begin making plans to enroll at another college. If we are able to offer admission to students off the waitlist, we will not do so before mid-May. You need to have other options available to you.
How do you make decisions about admission from the waitlist?
Usually about half of the students we offer a spot on the waitlist accept a position. After the May 1 enrollment deadline, we decide how many (if any) places we have left in the class. At that point we review all the waitlist applicants as a group. We may make several waves of offers through May and June to fill out the class. All students will know their final decision by June 30.
Statistics, please!
In the previous post we got a lot of requests for statistics. As Erin posted in a previous comment, we admitted about 200 of our first-deadline deferred students; about 1680 were waitlisted. Overall, we offered waitlist positions to about 1,200 North Carolina students and about 1,280 out-of-state students. We received just over 23,000 applications in all, which was an increase of almost 8% over last year.
Last year, we waitlisted 2,328 students. 1,420 accepted a place on the waitlist, and 453 were admitted. In 2007, we waitlisted 2,063 students. 1,240 accepted a place on the waitlist, and 226 were admitted. It really does vary quite a bit from year to year, which means you should take these statistics with a grain of salt. And like most colleges around the country, we're still waiting to see how much of an effect the economy has on students' decisions.
What is the new transfer-guarantee program?
This year, we will be offering a pilot program that will guarantee sophomore transfer admission to a small group of students who accept a position on the waitlist, but who we are not able to admit into the first-year class. The Daily Tar Heel recently reported on the program. Students who are chosen for the program will be notified this summer. The program was only recently approved by the faculty, so I'll be sure to share more details about the program as we have them.
Other questions?
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Decisions will be posted Friday afternoon
Decisions will show up on your homepage by 5:00pm, and your letters should arrive by early next week. We ask that you please be patient as you log onto your homepage. During these busiest times for the homepage system, our servers can run a bit slowly.
Please also note that all decisions from first deadline have been taken down from homepages as we prepare to post everyone's decisions on Friday. For those of you who were deferred after first deadline, your defer letter has disappeared and will be replaced with a new letter on Friday.
We are honored by every application that we receive, and we work very hard to ensure that each one receives a full and fair consideration. We have to disappoint many students, and for that we are truly sorry. But we want you to know how grateful we are for each and every student who shows an interest in Carolina. So thank you.
Please also note that all decisions from first deadline have been taken down from homepages as we prepare to post everyone's decisions on Friday. For those of you who were deferred after first deadline, your defer letter has disappeared and will be replaced with a new letter on Friday.
We are honored by every application that we receive, and we work very hard to ensure that each one receives a full and fair consideration. We have to disappoint many students, and for that we are truly sorry. But we want you to know how grateful we are for each and every student who shows an interest in Carolina. So thank you.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
On Wednesday night I ventured over to Carroll Hall to hear the famed Mark Strand give a free public reading of some of his poetry. I figured it isn't every day I get the opportunity to hear a former U.S. Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner.
Strand will be this year’s Morgan Writer-in-Residence at UNC. The Morgan Writer-in-Residence Program was established in 1993 to bring writers of distinction to UNC. I read up on the Morgan Writer-in-Residence program and found out that previous writers-in-resident have included Alice McDermott, Annie Dillard, Rita Dove, Robert Hass, Tim O’Brien and Robert Pinsky.
I arrived with my good friend Drew Bird, a medical resident at Duke Hospital and siddled up to the front of the auditorium looking to snatch the best seat possible. There were several rows carefully partitioned off for the distinguished guests that had come to hear the night's reading. I looked for where the commoners were offered seating and was delighted when I found a few openings on the third row. I settled in and waited for this distinguised giant of the world of poetry to take the stage.
When I first laid eyes upon him, I was taken aback by how tall he was. As he walked to the podium his long strides took him there in half the time it would have for most of the room. He peered at us from behind his glasses. He was very comfortable. Without much fanfare or preface, he began to read. I found it difficult to appreciate his poetry by merely hearing it. I don't doubt it is of the utmost quality. However, I found myself wishing I could read it simultaneously while listening to it. I wondered if I was the only one who felt that way. I looked around the room and found most everyone perched on the edge of their seat, wistfully eyeing this metaphorical and physical giant, absorbing his measured voice the way one would listen to God Himself. I felt awkward. Why wasn't I enjoying this as much as others?
I ended up enjoying the question and answer portion far more than his readings. He was asked "do you know what you are going to say before you say it?" He replied that he only starts with a word, or a theme, and then develops it into presentable prose. I have found myself employing the same technique. Hmm... maybe I'm on track to being a U.S. poet Laureate some day. He answered a few more questions (I was quite astounded at how well-read many of our students were in the audience... they not only knew Mark Strand's poetry but who had influenced Mark Strand's poetry!) Incredible.
After a rousing applause, Drew and I decided not to wait in line to speak with him, but called it a night and left. However, when I got home, I found myself strikingly moved to write some myself. So I fired up the lap top and found an old poem I wrote 10 years ago. The rest of the evening was spent lost in a world I had created some 10 years ago. That was a good night....
Strand will be this year’s Morgan Writer-in-Residence at UNC. The Morgan Writer-in-Residence Program was established in 1993 to bring writers of distinction to UNC. I read up on the Morgan Writer-in-Residence program and found out that previous writers-in-resident have included Alice McDermott, Annie Dillard, Rita Dove, Robert Hass, Tim O’Brien and Robert Pinsky.
I arrived with my good friend Drew Bird, a medical resident at Duke Hospital and siddled up to the front of the auditorium looking to snatch the best seat possible. There were several rows carefully partitioned off for the distinguished guests that had come to hear the night's reading. I looked for where the commoners were offered seating and was delighted when I found a few openings on the third row. I settled in and waited for this distinguised giant of the world of poetry to take the stage.
When I first laid eyes upon him, I was taken aback by how tall he was. As he walked to the podium his long strides took him there in half the time it would have for most of the room. He peered at us from behind his glasses. He was very comfortable. Without much fanfare or preface, he began to read. I found it difficult to appreciate his poetry by merely hearing it. I don't doubt it is of the utmost quality. However, I found myself wishing I could read it simultaneously while listening to it. I wondered if I was the only one who felt that way. I looked around the room and found most everyone perched on the edge of their seat, wistfully eyeing this metaphorical and physical giant, absorbing his measured voice the way one would listen to God Himself. I felt awkward. Why wasn't I enjoying this as much as others?
I ended up enjoying the question and answer portion far more than his readings. He was asked "do you know what you are going to say before you say it?" He replied that he only starts with a word, or a theme, and then develops it into presentable prose. I have found myself employing the same technique. Hmm... maybe I'm on track to being a U.S. poet Laureate some day. He answered a few more questions (I was quite astounded at how well-read many of our students were in the audience... they not only knew Mark Strand's poetry but who had influenced Mark Strand's poetry!) Incredible.
After a rousing applause, Drew and I decided not to wait in line to speak with him, but called it a night and left. However, when I got home, I found myself strikingly moved to write some myself. So I fired up the lap top and found an old poem I wrote 10 years ago. The rest of the evening was spent lost in a world I had created some 10 years ago. That was a good night....
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Transfer Applications Due Monday!
Hello! Sorry for my long absence, but it's been a busy few weeks in the Admissions Office. We are just about finished reading first-year applications, though it will be a couple more weeks before we are able to finalize decisions on our second-deadline and deferred candidates. I'm sorry that I don't have any more news for those of you that are awaiting decisions, but grant us a little more time and we'll be sure to let you all know as soon as we can. I can tell you that we are on schedule for releasing second deadline decisions, so you will certainly hear from us no later than March 20.
The application deadline for transfer admission is right around the corner--12:00 midnight EST this Monday, March 2. Each year we admit around 900 transfer students to join the sophomore and junior classes. I really enjoy reading transfer applications and it's always a great way to end our reading season. Transfer students tend to have such interesting stories--many are non-traditional students going back to school after a long break, some have been in the military or workforce, some are taking a second crack at admission to Carolina having been denied the first time around, while others have just decided that they're ready for a change and Carolina offers them opportunities they'd like to take advantage of. We love this diversity and we know it enriches our campus with a multitude of fresh perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.
Also coming up is the March 1 financial aid deadline! This is an extremely important deadline for both first-year and transfer applicants. You'll need to complete both the FAFSA and CSS/PROFILE by March 1 to receive full consideration for aid. Visit the Student Aid office to learn more.
Please let us know what questions you have!
Julie
The application deadline for transfer admission is right around the corner--12:00 midnight EST this Monday, March 2. Each year we admit around 900 transfer students to join the sophomore and junior classes. I really enjoy reading transfer applications and it's always a great way to end our reading season. Transfer students tend to have such interesting stories--many are non-traditional students going back to school after a long break, some have been in the military or workforce, some are taking a second crack at admission to Carolina having been denied the first time around, while others have just decided that they're ready for a change and Carolina offers them opportunities they'd like to take advantage of. We love this diversity and we know it enriches our campus with a multitude of fresh perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.
Also coming up is the March 1 financial aid deadline! This is an extremely important deadline for both first-year and transfer applicants. You'll need to complete both the FAFSA and CSS/PROFILE by March 1 to receive full consideration for aid. Visit the Student Aid office to learn more.
Please let us know what questions you have!
Julie
Monday, January 26, 2009
Math Placement Tests
We’ve had quite a few questions recently from admitted students about the Math 2 subject test. As you read in the admitted student guide that came with your letter of admission, we strongly encourage you to take the Math SAT 2 subject test before orientation. All of the majors at Carolina require a quantitative reasoning course and many of these courses require a math placement score, though there are a few that do not. It's best to have a placement score on file in case the major you choose has specific math requirements.
An AP Calculus score is a fine substitute for the Math 2 test, however we don’t receive those scores until late summer, so you may not be able to register for the math course you want during your CTOPS orientation session.
If you already have an AP Calc score--for instance, if you took the exam junior year--you can use that score for placement at CTOPS. Just be sure to have the official scores sent to UNC-CH. (Keep in mind that you can only get math placement from the AP Calc test with a score of 2 or better.)
If you are unable to take the Math 2 subject test before CTOPS, no need to panic though! Although it may limit your ability to register for a math course during CTOPS, you can always take the test later (or wait for your AP scores in late summer). Depending on when you take the test, you can either register late for a first-semester course, or wait until second semester to take the course that requires a placement score.
Hope this clears up some of the confusion, but please let us know if you have further questions.
An AP Calculus score is a fine substitute for the Math 2 test, however we don’t receive those scores until late summer, so you may not be able to register for the math course you want during your CTOPS orientation session.
If you already have an AP Calc score--for instance, if you took the exam junior year--you can use that score for placement at CTOPS. Just be sure to have the official scores sent to UNC-CH. (Keep in mind that you can only get math placement from the AP Calc test with a score of 2 or better.)
If you are unable to take the Math 2 subject test before CTOPS, no need to panic though! Although it may limit your ability to register for a math course during CTOPS, you can always take the test later (or wait for your AP scores in late summer). Depending on when you take the test, you can either register late for a first-semester course, or wait until second semester to take the course that requires a placement score.
Hope this clears up some of the confusion, but please let us know if you have further questions.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
More snow!
More snow pictures. Because this doesn't happen every day here!
I'm not sure what hill they were bound for, but they seem properly equipped with sleds. I saw a number of less-prepared students toting cardboard boxes and cafeteria trays.
I like the creative usage of dining hall materials here.
Old Well, beautiful in the snow
And our own tour guide Awika, braving the snow with a group of visitors on a campus tour. We had a number of visitors this morning--and some of them stayed after the information session to watch the Inauguration and President Obama's address with us on the big-screen televisions in our lobby.
Happy Inauguration Day! For those of you in North Carolina, I hope you are spending it playing in the snow or cuddled up in front of a fire!
I'm not sure what hill they were bound for, but they seem properly equipped with sleds. I saw a number of less-prepared students toting cardboard boxes and cafeteria trays.
I like the creative usage of dining hall materials here.
Old Well, beautiful in the snow
And our own tour guide Awika, braving the snow with a group of visitors on a campus tour. We had a number of visitors this morning--and some of them stayed after the information session to watch the Inauguration and President Obama's address with us on the big-screen televisions in our lobby.
Happy Inauguration Day! For those of you in North Carolina, I hope you are spending it playing in the snow or cuddled up in front of a fire!
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